Shannon County, Missouri

Shannon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population is 8,324. Its county seat is EminenceGR|6. The county was organized in 1841 and named for George F. "Peg-Leg" Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Missouri's first copper mine was opened here in 1846, and Missouri's only manganese mine was opened here during World War II.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,600 km² (1,004 mi²). 2,600 km² (1,004 mi²) of it is land and 0 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.01%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Dent County (north)
*Reynolds County (east)
*Carter County (southeast)
*Oregon County (south)
*Howell County (southwest)
*Texas County (west)

Major highways

*U.S. Route 60
*Route 19
*Route 99
*Route 106

National protected areas

* Mark Twain National Forest (part)
* Ozark National Scenic Riverways (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,324 people, 3,319 households, and 2,356 families residing in the county. The population density was 3/km² (8/mi²). There were 3,862 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (4/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.05% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.83% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.3% were of American, 13.4% Irish, 11.8% German and 9.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,319 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $20,878, and the median income for a family was $25,379. Males had a median income of $21,917 versus $16,024 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,492. About 21.00% of families and 26.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.10% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Events

*Salem, Missouri is home to Schwagstock, an annual festival in the style of Woodstock.

References